AC Milan threw away an excellent opportunity to consolidate their position at the top of Serie A, playing out a 2-2 draw away to Salernitana.
Serie A leaders AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side Salernitana, causing a huge dent in the former’s efforts to consolidate the top spot.
Junior Messias gave the Rossoneri an early lead, but Salernitana hit back and equalised through Federico Bonazzoli before Milan Djuric gave them the lead in the second half. A stunned Milan hit back through Ante Rebic in the 77th minute but could not find a late winner.
The result keeps Stefano Pioli’s side at the summit for now. However, both Inter Milan and Napoli have games in hand, meaning that Milan could end the weekend as low as the third spot should other results go against them. This is also the first time since 2016 that the Serie A’s bottom-placed side have avoided defeat to the league leaders.
Milan can only blame themselves as they failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck and make their early advantage count. They faded as the game went on and looked largely out of sync on the pitch. With the season nearing its business end, Pioli’s men will have to do much better if they are determined to end the season with a trophy.
1 – #SalernitanaMilan is the first #SerieA match since Verona-Juventus 2-1, back in May 2016, where the bottom side have avoided the defeat against the league leaders starting the match day – the top-ranked team had won nine games in a row. Surprise.
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) February 19, 2022
Mike Maignan: 5/10
It was a poor outing for the Frenchman, who is usually reliable at the back for Milan. His decision making was suspect as he gifted Salernitana their equaliser, handing them the momentum in the game. He nearly made another grievous error as well, which fortunately went unpunished.
Davide Calabria: 6/10
A solid performer, Calabria linked up well with Junior Messias on the right flank and contributed on both ends of the pitch. However, he lacked the cutting edge and was eventually taken off in the 73rd minute as Milan sought to win the game.
Fikayo Tomori: 5/10
The Englishman endured a forgettable afternoon and failed to challenge Milan Djuric for Salernitana’s second goal of the night. Having recently returned to action, Tomori lacked his usual sharpness and struggled to mark his opponent all night.
Alessio Romagnoli: 5/10
The skipper did his best but failed to make the difference on the night. He tried to step up as Milan sought a late winner, but his misplaced passes in the final minutes did more to kill his side’s attacks than anything else.
Theo Hernandez: 6/10
The Frenchman returned to the lineup after serving his suspension and earned himself an early assist for Messias’s opener. He failed to add to it and surprisingly could not make many more accurate crosses for the remainder of the game. It was a rather forgettable night for Hernandez, who will need to do much better.
Ismael Bennacer: 5/10
Another player who failed to make the most of his opportunity. Bennacer started the game instead of Franck Kessie, but the difference in quality was visible. He could not make simple passes and adopted a safety-first approach that did his side no good. While he did not do anything badly, what was on offer was not good enough. He will miss Milan’s next Serie A game after being booked.
Sandro Tonali: 5/10
The Italian went down injured in the first half, but thankfully, for Milan, he carried on. The knock may have had an effect, but Tonali was far from his best and saw his influence on the game wane in the second half.
Junior Messias: 6/10
The Brazilian was one of Milan’s best players on the night and linked up well with Calabria on the right flank. He scored the Rossoneri’s opening goal and was a menace for the Salernitana defence all night.
The dribble, the through ball, the finish: football at its beautiful best ?#SalernitanaMilan 0-1 #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/DIFSKCaRAH
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 19, 2022
Brahim Diaz: 5/10
The Spaniard saw the game largely pass him by. He troubled the opposition’s defence with his intelligent off the ball movement but failed to do the same when presented with the ball.
Rafael Leao: 6/10
The Portuguese winger cannot be faulted for his effort, but his failure to make the right decision in the final third often saw a move fall apart. It was a quiet night for a player who has been sensational for Milan this season.
Olivier Giroud: 6/10
The French veteran failed to find the back of the net but earned himself an assist for Milan’s equaliser. He was generally good but did not receive enough service from those behind him to make enough of a difference.
SUBSTITUTES
Franck Kessie: 6/10
Kessie replaced Bennacer at half-time and instantly brought solidity to the Milan midfield. He kept the ball ticking and was an instant upgrade over the Algerian midfielder.
Ante Rebic: 6/10
The Croat came to the fore against Salernitana after replacing Diaz in the 61st minute, scoring the all-important equaliser. But Rebic struggled to make the difference when the visitors sought a late winner.
Impact sub ?#SalernitanaMilan 2-2 #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/axGtyd6sNb
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 19, 2022
Alexis Saelemaekers: 5/10
The Belgian replaced Messias but failed to make the required difference. Saelemaekers had the chance to become the hero but was unable to connect with Alessandro Florenzi’s late cross.
Alessandro Florenzi: 6/10
Florenzi replaced Calabria late on and put in a teasing cross with which Saelemaekers failed to connect.
